Del VanDenBerg

Looks like this needs to be updated Elizabeth- "neighboring" doesn't seem to completely fit the bill now with precedent, and there are three delegates to be sent (unless something extraordinary prevents) to Classis from the church.  Perhaps more:-)

Del

Oh to walk in someone else's shoes...just as Christ walked in mine- laughing, weeping, learning, rejoicing, quietly.

M.R. DeHaan, Our Daily Bread, once wrote- "The acid test of loving is giving," followed by a great quote- I'm not sure if it was his, but it perhaps sums up Ron's article in a most beautiful way-

You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving!

The challenge in Cadets, as in all the rest of our church programing is just that- giving and loving.  Ron followed that rule, and it remains a wonderful vision for us today.

Living for Jesus for over 25 years...still on the journey yet:-)

I am deaf. Perhaps that is the first thing one must admit; I know because I have significant sensory hearing loss which came on like an avalanche.

I am 58 and surviving in a hearing world. Do I withdraw- I haven't totally, but it has made me more dependent on others, and my character does not like being dependent. I have a Cochlear Implant and without it my world would be rather silent. I don’t need sympathy, but understanding especially since now I hear everything bionic, but it is hard to translate at times and I too have a blank look and nod and smile:-)

I have the option to play it safe at church, work, home...admittedly, sometimes I do; but my aggressive nature and hand's on approach for life requires me to dive in.

I was not born deaf- so that may makes me different also, interestingly to both the deaf and hearing worlds I am now an outsider, freakish as some might put it.  However, I have talents that have been given to me- the Lord has been gracious to me.

Once a teacher always a teacher some say, well unfortunately that goes only so far in a hearing world for a person that does not know sign language. So I keep adjusting, smiling when things are said to me upfront and behind my back about deafness- I figure I have a jump on many of those same baby boomers, but remembering what it feels like to be on the receiving end.

No, I will not play it safe- but I will live with the boundaries that have been given me, but like the bovine “pushing its head through the fence to get to the other side-” I will keep “pushing the envelope,”  using what talent has been given me- thankfully praising God for his gracious mercies. 

Oh but this is happening Henry- a bending of the rule...in the short ticket I have had on this “planet ride” there have been "others" in the pulpit - rightfully or wrongfully so; and my hunch is this coming Sunday it will be happening somewhere beyond the cloistered walls of the Church Order.

An ordained pastor may begin and end a service but invite others to "teach" the congregation, or give a narrative which in itself is a one-way conversations of spiritual journey with full knowledge of a Council, or wink on the part of a Classis; perhaps an aged evangelist who is dear to a congregation who has spent a long time traveling 50 miles each Sunday to "lead" a small group of people that now ordained minister would find "led to;"  or to consider a small struggling church that no longer can be "organized" and reverts to "emerging" in order to survive and while no pastor can be afforded members of that group continue on to minister to each other. 

So yes, perhaps we need to take a look at Art 53a and see if there is a way to "stretch the mold" it to the extent it does not break with our correct interpretation of collaborating as a denomination to protect which we have cultivated for so long- solid reformed preaching... and that I must admit is unfortunately slipping a way down a slope whether an ordained minister or not is standing in the pulpit.

My thoughts are not to indict anyone- nor a particular process, but just this...I'm wondering, hopefully not wandering:-)

Thanks Henry for your comment...dialogue is necessary in our denomination, monologue seems to get us in trouble- i.e. "Fractured Flocks..." per recent Christian Courier (I really need to read that article), or the Blog "Why I left the CRC..." (after reading it the best discriptive reaction- wow.)

Yes, there is room for exception; and I find your comment "emerging churches are  not obligated to follow church order" rather interesting... my fertile imagination paints a "lemming run" for emergent status by some flocks circling not knowing were to land.

Your words continue to offer wisdom and please find time to write a sequal to your most recent book- there must be more  stories without end you have gathered that will enlighten all of us on this jewel called the CRCNA.

Blessings:-)

The idea of "mutual censure" for Classis is still evolving, and since nearly half of our delegates are not repeats, the whole concept will take time to unfold; for the couple of time we have done this it has been met with somewhat expected, yet surprising results.

One time, the conversation was rather heated, and the chair needed to rule one emotional delegate out of order- who when "called out" graciously retreated resulting in reconciliation and a Classis motion to deal forthrightly with the brother's need.

Most often it allows a bit of editorial time by the participant.  This is not all bad since often some delegates are not included in the conversation of the day, and this is the first time the individual actually was asked an opinion- the result is a surprisingly enlightening thought.

However, the last Classis the time was met with general silence- "pass" was the most common answer.  This is not all bad either, b/c it indicates struggle perhaps played itself out during the duration of the meeting.

Our "mutual censure" is actually termed mutual accountability, and is directed for the current session at hand- this is a strict limitation enforced by the chair.

So far mutual accountability seems to have allowed for conflict resolution; few have left Classis like "deer in headlights" as issues zoom by.  This was the intent, and as mutual accountability develops in the coming Classis meetings it may continue to allow for a more gracious and constructive Classis "endgame"...Lord willing.

Will the upshot be no more conflict in Classis...perhaps not; conflict resolution is the target of this device and it will continue to be used to create common ground until it is no longer useful, or desired.  Isn't that how Classis works- or should work?

Elizabeth , your comment is well taken.

At a Classis meeting there should be a time for evaluation of how good a job the assembly is doing- thus your comments perhaps of "What did you enjoy during the day?" Or "what do you plan on sharing..."

Be it as it may, CO Art. 43 in the pre-65 Church Order dealt with "morals of the community," or assembly.  It recognized that we often are not as perfect as the "image we assume to see in the mirror," and on occasion- really act imperfectly.

At Classis meetings, just like any other human gathering, there is potential for "bullying"- now there is a term everyone understands today. Or even "sarcastic humor" to drive home a point- heaven forbid that delegates would stoop to this level!  However, we are all human and live in a culture that puts a high value on "winning;" losing an argument or giving in to someone else's ideas may not be palatable.

The key to this practice is the word "mutual."  No one is driving home a point, or hammering on someone in particular, but anyone would be allowed to say within the rules: "You know, what you said really cut me to the quick because your assessment was wrong."

Articles in the current Church Order point to an action initiated by leadership, or officeholders within the Council. The forgotten CO article in the '65 revision (the foundation of today's CO) dealt with an assembly "together," not specifying who started the process- therefore allowing anyone to speak to the issue in an organized manner.

I think we have all experienced (either personally or through observation) the negative comment in the heat of discussion; or unfair phrase that perhaps swayed the outcome of a legitimate request.  Frankly, mutual censure would be an opportunity for Classis as an assembly to take a "time out;" an opportunity to begin a restorative journey- not necessarily the end result.

It also would perhaps be also bit preventative in nature by allowing the possibility of calling an unfair or harmful comment on to the floor for "censure." Perhaps even more importantly, not allowing something to fester on into a "Classis 19th hole" discussion, only to reoccur at subsequent meetings.

Even more importantly, it would allow the Classis leadership to look deeply into the hearts and minds of delegates who feel harmed or hurt- perhaps to begin devising a way to begin a process of restoration if needed.  Quick restoration perhaps would result from dialogue that puts everyone in context.  If not, then the issue would be laid bare- and open for appropriate action.

You know, a checklist item forces the majority to look over their shoulders at times to see if someone or a minority has been run over, and perhaps, with the proper amount of coaching- requires them to stop and be a Good Samaritan. 

It worked! Yes, it appears "mutual censure" worked at our last Classis meeting as we hoped it would; whether it will in the future we will see.

Mutual Censure was put in the Agenda identified as a "time of unity and accountability," and placed as the last item prior to "Closing Remarks and Prayer,"

it was clearly defined by the Chairman as a tool that was designed to allow any comment on the table that would be helpful to bring closure to this session of Classis for the delegate- both if it addressed a problem, or merely praiseworthy.  A "round Table" open discussion format was utilized, starting with the first person to the left of the Chair. If no comment was necessary, a simple "pass" could be used and the opportunity for comment would move on to the next individual.

It was rather interesting, few chose the "pass" option. The comments from the new delegates to Classis were most enlightening and helpful- and rather positive. Oh we had a couple of pointed comments to individual members, some sitting right next to each other- but interestingly enough, reconciliation began- if not flourished between the participants. That is not to say, things were left unsaid; but it was an opportunity to begin a "process" that may have been left undone, and later become unmanageable.

We actually had two sessions of Classis, a shorter one the night before that ended in a "concert of prayer" organized by "prayer and praise" worksheets. All delegates gathered around each church's delegation in succession, laid their hands on their shoulders- and prayed earnestly for each of the church's item(s) of praise or concern. Then throughout the next day session, time was set aside to pray together. Perhaps the atmosphere of group prayer helped "level the plain" for Mutual Censure at the session's end...perhaps not, but it worked this time.

Too often in the past we may have taken ourselves too seriously and become blinded to the "shoes" of another;  walking together in prayer prior to the "path of censure" may have allowed for a different journey. There remain skeptics I am sure to this plan, but this time group mutual censure worked.

May we continue to find ways to build "unity and accountability," and if this works- we will continue our journey together...gracefully.

Thanks Elizabeth for your comment; it is good to know someone is taking up the mantle! You know, sometimes things need to be changed, other times not. I have always liked the name/title: Classis Renewal. Keep the name recognition; to me it seems rather appropriate for the site. Looking forward to seeing how it develops. I most certainly will refer our new prayer coordinator to you...when he/she accepts the position. Del VanDenBerg, aka “dutchoven.”

Ahhh...Christian Day schools and how it fits in the CRCNA scheme, the next great battle that will be enjoined after LGBTQ is settled or a truce is signed; as if it never was enjoined before:-)

Del

Call me naive, but Church Order is pretty good in framing what Classis is; among others- Art.(s) 27-28, 39-44 provide a good outline.  However, it is the folks that are implementing the nature and operation of Classis that pretty much "muck it up" or make it something that is unsavory to those that attend.

At our last Classis meeting we attempted to take a hard look at why we appreciate (or not) Classis, and what can be changed if needed- some pretty good ideas have come from that session; now the trick is to follow through.  One is that Classis should initiate leadership training in our churches, again this cannot be forced on anyone but the desire exists.  Another was to strengthen existing congregations more along with the natural desire of Classis to plant churches.

Our Classis leadership changed prior to this session a "time and trued" report segment, and unknowingly followed one of the "discovered" desires of the delegates.  Per tradition we always had Classis ministries- emerging and supported mission activities, give a report; it was always one of the most rewarding sections of Classis with prayer afterward that was uplifting for all.

So why not do this for each church and its congregation too?

So an Agenda item was initiated that allowed a couple of the congregations to "tell their story".  This activity will go on in future sessions until all the member churches have had their chance, and then hopefully we will start over.  Of course each church has the opportunity throughout the session to speak up, and the Classis Credential review allows for this need in Art. 41...but here is an opportunity for a congregation to give the story of its established ministry- the joys, challenges and its dreams; and the rest of the churches to listen and encourage.  Uplifting prayer followed each report and encircling the church and delegates.

You know it is true "money talks" so financial aid is important- and most Classis show this, but it is "love that listens"; how can we make Classis as a group that loves each other more.  Perhaps this is the first question that needs to be asked of Classis- how are you listening to each other?

Classis should, and can be the "Barnabas" of its churches...the more we make Classis the listener & encourager of congregation and ministries' needs and dreams, as well as the educator and  facilitator of denominational needs- our member churches will find a partner, or perhaps a comforter in ministry and needs.

Two things seem to be important now for our Classes- one is to better see what the "spirit" of the Church Order encourages, and two that we embrace the Holy Spirit's enabling power...we can't lose!